My 2-cents worth on new systems.  I have installed two Pianomation
systems, one regular and one nickelodeon kit.  It seems to me that before
installing a Pianomation, or selling one to a customer, a few points
should be discussed in the area of performance.

None of these new systems perform like a well-restored Ampico or Duo-Art
or even a well-adjusted Recordo.  They are getting there, but they're not
there yet.  The Yamaha or PianoDisc seems to always sound better to me,
perhaps because they are installed in higher quality (perhaps new)
pianos.

Installation of Pianomation in older pianos with badly dented butt
leather will reduce the soft-playing ability considerably.

I experimented for a short time with the idea of slowing the initial
solenoid response by mechanical means, such as springs on the plunger,
sponge on the key tail, and then resetting the power level.  I got very
little done with these methods.  This technology is still moving forward
rapidly and we will eventually have the system we want.

There is another end to the stick, though.  In using the piano as a
rental unit, in a home for and evening party, they ask, "Will it play
any softer?"  "No."

In a cafe-lounge-bar situation, they ask, "Will it play any louder?"
"Hell yes, I can make her dent the cymbal!"

Pianomation is for you if like the old piano roll music without
maintaining a pneumatic piano.  They are very reliable and there is
lots of music to be had at good prices, plus making your own.

Pianomation is for you if you want a multi-instrument machine at far
lower cost than a collectable one.  The instrumentation is about the same
as a Coinola X, at less than half the cost.

MIDI is the new way for mechanical music.  Many new machines will be
built in the coming years that use solenoid power.  Pianos, band organs,
monkey organs, residence organs -- all played by MIDI.

Collectable they ain't.  Affordable they are.

Jon Guy
Arnett, OK